Summary
- Polysulfone is rated better with
- Oxidising agents and halogens (+52 points); Mineral acids (+40 points); Alkalis (+36 points); Organic acids (+32 points); Alcohols and glycols (+29 points); Esters and ethers (+25 points); Salts and salt solutions (+18 points); Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons (+16 points)
- NBR is rated better with
- Amines and nitrogen compounds (+13 points)
- Within 10 points of each other
- Ketones and aldehydes; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Halogenated hydrocarbons; Foods and beverages
Points are the difference in the share of rows rated A or B.
The two materials
Polysulfone
Polysulfone
Polysulfone withstands hot water and steam. Ketones, esters and chlorinated and aromatic solvents attack it.
Rated rows: 303. A 51 %, B 10 %, C 10 %, D 30 %
NBR
Nitrile butadiene rubber
Nitrile rubber resists mineral oils and fuels. Ketones, esters, chlorinated solvents, strong oxidisers and ozone attack it.
Rated rows: 983. A 36 %, B 9 %, C 19 %, D 36 %
Share of rows rated A or B, by chemical class
How often the two ratings agree
Chemical classes were assigned by this site, not by the source. Mixtures and trade products without a clear class are not counted.
By chemical class
| Chemical class | Polysulfone: rated A or B | NBR: rated A or B |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral acids | 53 % (34 rows) | 13 % (63 rows) |
| Organic acids | 69 % (26 rows) | 37 % (63 rows) |
| Alkalis | 100 % (15 rows) | 64 % (22 rows) |
| Salts and salt solutions | 100 % (49 rows) | 82 % (198 rows) |
| Oxidising agents and halogens | 67 % (15 rows) | 15 % (62 rows) |
| Alcohols and glycols | 74 % (31 rows) | 45 % (58 rows) |
| Phenols | – | 0 % (14 rows) |
| Ketones and aldehydes | 14 % (14 rows) | 9 % (35 rows) |
| Esters and ethers | 26 % (23 rows) | 1 % (76 rows) |
| Amines and nitrogen compounds | 0 % (8 rows) | 13 % (39 rows) |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | 12 % (8 rows) | 7 % (14 rows) |
| Fuels, mineral oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons | 75 % (24 rows) | 59 % (78 rows) |
| Vegetable and animal oils, fats, essential oils | – | 69 % (48 rows) |
| Halogenated hydrocarbons | 14 % (22 rows) | 20 % (71 rows) |
| Foods and beverages | 100 % (9 rows) | 93 % (46 rows) |
Where the ratings differ most
Rows where the two ratings at 20 °C are at least two grades apart: 79 in total, the first 40 shown.
| Chemical | Concentration | Polysulfone | NBR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetamide | saturated | D | A |
| Alanine | D | A | |
| Ammonium Carbonate | 50 % | A | D |
| Battery Acid | 38 % | A | D |
| Benzenesulfonic Acid | saturated | A | D |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | saturated | A | D |
| Chromic Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Cyclohexane | D | A | |
| Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) | A | D | |
| Diisooctyl Phthalate (DOP) | technical grade | A | D |
| Ethyl Glycol | 100 % | A | D |
| Ethylene Oxide | A | D | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | 35 % | A | D |
| Hydrochloric Acid | concentrated | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 30 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 90 % | A | D |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | saturated | A | D |
| Isopropyl Ether | technical grade | A | D |
| Naphtha | A | D | |
| Naphthalene | 100 % | A | D |
| Nitric Acid | 1-10 % | A | D |
| Ozone | A | D | |
| Phosphoric Acid | 85 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 12,5 % Cl | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | 15 % | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | saturated | A | D |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) | dilute | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 20 % | A | D |
| Sulfuric Acid | 60 % | A | D |
| Tar | A | D | |
| Acetic Acid | 10 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 5 % | A | C |
| Acetic Acid | 50 % | B | D |
| Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia Solution) | B | D | |
| Butyric Acid | B | D | |
| Carbazole | D | B | |
| Crude Oil | 100 % | A | C |
| Cyclohexanol | technical grade | A | C |
| Developer Fluids | A | C |
Rating scale
- A very good resistance
- B good resistance
- C limited resistance
- D not resistant
- – no data
- K no general statement possible
A rating marked * is an estimate in the source, not a test result. An estimate is given as one value without a temperature.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polysulfone or NBR more chemical-resistant?
Of 303 chemicals rated for both materials at 20 °C, Polysulfone and NBR share the same rating in 178 rows (59 %). Polysulfone is rated better in 107 rows and NBR in 18 rows.
How do Polysulfone and NBR compare for chemical resistance?
Based on 303 chemicals tested for both: Polysulfone is rated better with Oxidising agents and halogens, Mineral acids, Alkalis, Organic acids. NBR is rated better with Amines and nitrogen compounds. They perform similarly with Ketones and aldehydes, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Halogenated hydrocarbons, Foods and beverages.
About this data
The ratings come from the chemical resistance list published by Bürkle GmbH, which compiled them from raw-material manufacturers’ data. They describe laboratory tests on the raw material at 20 °C and 50 °C.
A finished part also sees pressure, mechanical stress, welds and mixtures that a laboratory test does not. Treat the rating as a first filter and test under your own conditions before relying on it.